Psidium tree named ‘SERRATO 12’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Psidium tree named ‘SERRATO 12’ which is characterized by the combination of an upright-globular growth habit of the canopy, midseason fruiting, high fruit yield, pyriform-shaped fruit with fewer seeds and dense, firm flesh with a sweet flavor, and the stability of these characteristics from generation to generation.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosed herein is Psidium guajava.

Variety denomination: The inventive cultivar of Psidium disclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘SERRATO 12’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parentage: ‘SERRATO 12’ originated as a seedling selection from the open pollination of a plurality of Psidium guajava ‘SERRATO 3’ (unpatented) trees, a variety developed and owned by the inventor, at his exotic fruit farm in Valley Center, California. The pollen parent is presumed to also be ‘SERRATO 3’, given the fact that there were no other cultivars in close proximity to the seed parent.

In the course of normal operations, the inventor will initiate cultivation of a new Psidium guajava orchard by first grafting scions of the variety to be produced in the new orchard onto vigorous rootstock. To produce said scions, seeds are harvested from the variety to be produced in the new orchard, germinated in propagation trays, and subsequently grown in nursery containers. Scions are then harvested from these juvenile trees and grafted to the desired rootstock. The newly grafted trees are then grown in 5-gallon nursery containers before being transplanted to the field for commercial fruit production.

The claimed plant originated from this same process. Seeds were harvested from a plurality of ‘SERRATO 3’ trees and the resulting seedlings were later used to establish a new orchard. In 2014, over the course of the fruiting period, the inventor observed 29 trees which were phenotypically different from the parent. These 29 trees exhibited variations in growth habit and fruiting. The claimed tree was observed to fruit earlier and yield more fruit than the parent plants. After further evaluation to confirm the uniqueness and stability of the characteristics first observed, the claimed plant was selected for commercial production and was given the name ‘SERRATO 12’.

Asexual Reproduction: Asexual reproduction of ‘SERRATO 12’, by way of grafting, was first performed in 2014 in Valley Center, California. Through one subsequent generation, the unique features of this cultivar have proven to be stable and true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘SERRATO 12’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘SERRATO 12’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘SERRATO 12’ as a new and distinct Psidium guajava cultivar:

-   -   1. ‘SERRATO 12’ exhibits a freely-branching and densely-foliaged         growth habit with a globular to upright tree crown; and     -   2. Psidium ‘SERRATO 12’ exhibits midseason fruiting with a         fruiting period of approximately three months; and     -   3. Psidium ‘SERRATO 12’ exhibits pyriform-shaped fruit with a         relatively low quantity of seeds; and     -   4. Psidium ‘SERRATO 12’ exhibits moderately aromatic fruit with         dense, firm flesh and a sweet flavor; and     -   5. Psidium ‘SERRATO 12’ exhibits a high fruit yield, with each         tree producing approximately 115 kilograms of fruit per harvest         season.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, an exemplary 4-year-old field-grown ‘SERRATO 12’ tree in Valley Center, California.

FIG. 2 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the fruit of ‘SERRATO 12’.

FIG. 3 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, a cross section of the mature fruit of ‘SERRATO 12’.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following observations and measurements were made in December of 2021 and describe a 4 year old grafted, field-grown ‘SERRATO 12’ tree on Psidium guajava ‘300’ rootstock, grown plant in Valley Center, California. The tree was grown in full sun, regularly irrigated with low-volume overhead irrigation, and fertigated with a high Potassium and Calcium fertilizer approximately 3 to 4 times a year beginning when fruiting is initiated. Except for the application of a preventative biological fungicide, no chemical treatments of any kind were utilized. Trees are pruned once a year, after harvesting has concluded.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘SERRATO 12’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may differ from the descriptions set forth herein with variations in environmental, climatic and cultural conditions. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 1986 edition.

A botanical description of ‘SERRATO 12’ and comparisons with the parent plant and most similar commercial Psidium cultivar known to the inventor are provided below.

-   Plant description:     -   -   Growth habit.—Small, tropical evergreen, fruit-bearing tree.         -   Crown profile.—Upright and globular; more towards upright.         -   Average height from base to top of foliage.—Approximately             5.5 to 6.0 m.         -   Average width.—Approximately 3.65 to 4.25 m.         -   Plant vigor.— Moderately vigorous.         -   Propagation details.—Asexual propagation is accomplished by             grafting a scion onto rootstock. The most commonly used             rootstock is ‘300’, a variety developed and owned by the             inventor. Scions form a union with the rootstock in             approximately 3 to 4 weeks.         -   Time to produce a fruit-bearing tree.—Approximately 1 to 2             years from planting of a grafted tree into the orchard.         -   Disease and pest resistance or susceptibility.—Neither             tolerance nor resistance to normal diseases and pests of             Psidium guajava have been observed.         -   Environmental tolerances.—Hardy to USDA Zone 9; heat and             drought tolerant once established. -   Root system:     -   -   General.—Extensive, freely-branching, shallow, and generally             extending beyond the tree canopy; some deeper roots but no             taproot. -   Stems:     -   -   Branching habit.—Single rootstock leader gives rise to an             abundance of lateral branches above the graft union.         -   Attitude.—Upward and outward to pendulous, as branches age.         -   Aspect.—Quadrangular.         -   Length of lateral branches.—104.5 cm.         -   Diameter of fruiting branches.—Averaging 1.2 cm at the base.         -   Internode length on lateral branches.—6.1 cm on average.         -   Texture.—Juvenile branches are smooth and moderately             tomentose and become progressively fibrous and fissured as             they age; branches will exfoliate as wood matures, revealing             a smooth texture beneath.         -   Strength.—Moderately strong and pliable.         -   Color, juvenile.—Youngest wood is yellow-green, RHS 145A and             suffused with RHS 151A; as wood matures it becomes colored             with a mixture of greyed-orange and grey-brown, RHS 177A and             199A, and is heavily suffused with greyed-orange, nearest to             in between RHS 166A and 175B.         -   Color, mature.—Greyed-orange, nearest to a combination of             RHS 165A, 165B, 166C, and 174A; exfoliated fibers are             grey-brown, nearest to a combination of RHS 199A, 199B, and             200C but predominantly 199B and 200C.         -   Pubescence.—Juvenile branches are moderately tomentose;             mature branches are glabrous. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite; decussate.         -   Attachment.—Petiolate.         -   Division.—Simple.         -   Lamina.—Dimensions — 16.2 cm long and 7.5 cm wide. Shape —             Elliptic to obtuse or oblong. Aspect — Carinate and somewhat             reflexed. Apex — Acute. Base — Obtuse. Margin — Entire with             light, coarse undulation. Pubescence, adaxial surface —             Glabrous to lightly farinose. Texture and luster of adaxial             surface — Lightly to moderately bullate and semi-glossy.             Pubescence, abaxial surface — Moderately tomentose. Texture             and luster of abaxial surface — Lightly to moderately             bullate and matte. Color — Juvenile foliage, adaxial surface             — Nearest to in between green and yellow-green, RHS 137D and             144A; suffused with greyed-orange, nearest to a combination             of RHS 164A and 175C. Juvenile foliage, abaxial surface —             Yellow-green, RHS 145A. Mature foliage, adaxial surface —             Nearest to in between green and yellow-green, RHS 137C and             147A. Mature foliage, abaxial surface — Yellow-green,             nearest to in between RHS 146B and 147C. Venation — Pattern             — Reticulate; prominently-veined. Color, adaxial surface —             Yellow-green, nearest to in between RHS 148B and 146B.             Color, abaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest to in between             RHS 151A and 152D.         -   Petiole.—Length — 10.0 mm. Width — 4.1 mm. Texture — Smooth             and moderately tomentose. Strength — Strong. Color —             Yellow-green, nearest to in between RHS 148B and 146B. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Type.—No inflorescence; flowers are solitary, occurring             individually or in small clusters in leaf axils. -   Flower buds:     -   -   Bud shape.—Ovoid.         -   Bud dimensions.—Approximately 15 to 18 mm long and 10 to 12             mm in diameter.         -   Bud color.—Nearest to in between green and yellow-green, RHS             143C and 144A. -   Flower:     -   -   Bloom period.—May through June.         -   Flower type.—Perfect; simple.         -   Flower shape.—Rotate.         -   Persistence.—Not persistent.         -   Flower aspect.—Upward and outward.         -   Fragrance.—Lightly fragrant.         -   Dimensions.—Approximately 2.5 cm in diameter and 2.0 cm             deep.         -   Pedicels.—Dimensions —10 to 20 mm long and 2.0 mm in             diameter. Color — Nearest to in between green and             yellow-green, RHS 143C and 144A. Texture and luster —             Smooth, lightly tomentose, and matte. Strength — Low.         -   Calyx.—Arrangement — Irregularly rotate with sepals fused at             the base, forming a short calyx tube. Dimensions —             Approximately 14 to 16 mm long, including the calyx tube,             and 8 to 11 mm wide at the widest point between outstretched             lobes. Sepals — Quantity — Varying from 2 to 5 lobes. Fused             or free — Fused. Sepal lobe dimensions — Approximately 8 to             10 mm long and varying from 6 to 8 mm wide. Sepal lobe shape             — Broad elliptic. Sepal lobe apex — Broadly acute to             near-obtuse. Aspect — Concave and becoming reflexed at             anthesis. Margin — Entire; no undulation. Texture — Smooth             and glabrous. Color — Nearest to in between green and             yellow-green, RHS 143C and 144A.         -   Petals.—Arrangement — Rotate; petals arranged in a single             whorl. Quantity — Typically 4 or 5. Fused or free — Free.             Dimensions — Approximately 10 to 15 mm long and 10 to 11 mm             wide. Shape — Broad elliptic. Apex — Broadly acute to             near-obtuse. Base — Broadly cuneate. Aspect — Concave and             becoming reflexed at anthesis. Margin — Entire; light,             coarse undulation. Texture — Glabrous. Color — When opening,             inner surface — White, RHS 155A. When opening, outer surface             — White, RHS 155A. Inner surface, at anthesis — White, RHS             155A. Outer surface, at anthesis — White, RHS 155A. Color             fading to — Not fading. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Androecium.—Stamen quantity — Very abundant; more than 200.             Filament — Dimensions — Approximately 10 to 12 mm long and             approximately 0.75 mm in diameter. Color — White, RHS 155A;             suffused with green-yellow towards the base, nearest to RHS             1D. Anther — Anther attachment — Dorsifixed. Anther shape —             Oblong; dehiscing longitudinally. Anther size — 3.0 mm long             and 1.5 mm in diameter. Anther color — White, RHS 155D, and             lightly suffused with yellow-white at anthesis, nearest to             RHS 158B. Pollen — Amount of pollen — Abundant. Pollen color             — Yellow, RHS 10D.         -   Gynoecium.—Pistil quantity — One. Stigma — Shape — Round.             Dimensions — Approximately 1.75 mm across and 2.0 mm tall.             Color — Yellow-green, RHS 145B. Style — Dimensions —             Approximately 10 to 12 mm long and 2.0 to 2.25 mm in             diameter at the base. Color — Green-white, RHS 157D, and             becoming suffused with yellow-green, RHS 145B towards the             stigma. Ovary — Position — Inferior. Shape — Globose.             Diameter — 10 to 12 mm. -   Seed and fruit:     -   -   Fruit.—Type — Multi-seeded berry. Shape — Typically pyriform             yet occasionally somewhat rounded, with a small calyx cavity             and floral remnants present at the base. Dimensions — 6.5 cm             in diameter and 8.1 cm long. Weight — 178 grams, on average.             Texture — Somewhat smooth to slightly rough or bumpy. Aroma             — Moderately aromatic with a strong, sweet, musky, tropical             fruit scent. Flavor — Sweet, fruity, and slightly floral.             Color — Epicarp — Immature fruit is yellow-green, nearest to             a mixture of RHS 144A, 144B, 145A, 145B, and 145C; as fruit             matures, it becomes progressively suffused with a             combination of yellow and yellow-green (nearest to RHS 4B,             5C, and 151D) beginning near the calyx cavity and spreading             proximally; once ripe, the entire epicarp is a combination             of yellow and yellow-green nearest to RHS 4B, 5C, 151D, and             154C. Mesocarp — Yellow-green near the epicarp, a mixture of             RHS 144C and 145A, and becoming progressively suffused with             white towards the endocarp, nearest to RHS 155A. Endocarp —             White, nearest to RHS 155A, and lightly suffused with red,             nearest to RHS 36D. Harvest season — November through             January in Valley Center, California. Productivity of the             fruit — A mature tree will produce approximately 115             kilograms of fruit per harvest season. Storage             characteristics — Fruit stored for 12 to 15 days at 10 to 12             degrees Celsius show no signs of internal breakdown or             ripening.         -   Seed.—Abundance — Seeds are embedded in the endocarp.             Relatively fewer seeds than the parent and other known             varieties approximately 125 to 150 seeds as observed. Shape             — Irregularly globular. Size — 4.0 mm long and 3.5 to 4.0 mm             in diameter. Color — Greyed-orange, nearest to RHS 163D.             Texture and luster — Smooth and matte.

COMPARISON WITH THE PARENT PLANTS

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SERRATO 12’ may be distinguished from the parent, Psidium ‘SERRATO 3’ (not patented), by the characteristics described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Characteristic ‘SERRATO 12’ ‘SERRATO 3’ Time to fruit. Earlier than Later than ‘SERRATO 3’. ‘SERRATO 12’. Fruit yield. 115 kilograms of fruit per 70 kilograms of fruit per tree, per season. tree, per season. Fruit firmness. Firmer than Softer than ‘SERRATO 3’. ‘SERRATO 12’. Flavor of the fruit. Sweeter than Less sweet, compared to ‘SERRATO 3’. ‘SERRATO 12’.

COMPARISON WITH THE CLOSEST KNOWN COMMERCIAL VARIETY

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SERRATO 12’ may be distinguished from the commercial variety, Psidium ‘SERRATO 13’ (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 18/445,017 has been filed concurrently), by the characteristics described in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Characteristic ‘SERRATO 12’ ‘SERRATO 13’ Time to fruit. Later than Earlier than ‘SERRATO 13’. ‘SERRATO 12’. Fruit size. Smaller than Larger than ‘SERRATO 13’. ‘SERRATO 12’. Fruit firmness. Firmer than Softer than ‘SERRATO 13’. ‘SERRATO 12’. Fruit aroma. Less aromatic than More aromatic than ‘SERRATO 13’. ‘SERRATO 12’. Fruit yield. 115 kilograms of fruit per 90 kilograms of fruit per tree, per season. tree, per season. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Psidium tree named ‘SERRATO 12’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 